Small Steps is a rare sequel that manages to be good without trying to copy the original's homework. It doesn't have the 'lightning in a bottle' magic of Holes, and the pop-star subplot feels a little dated in the era of TikTok, but the emotional core is rock solid.
Armpit is a great protagonist because he's not a saint; he's just a guy trying to do 5% better every day. If your kid liked the characters from Camp Green Lake, this is a no-brainer. It’s a fast, rewarding read that actually has something to say about how we treat people who have 'messed up.'






